Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 17

Delton Colaco’s strike has helped Sporting Clube de Goa maintain a six point lead at the top of the Goa Professional League table.

With the top five teams involved in the round, Dempo missed out against bottom-placed Velsao, while Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar played out a draw. Lalawmpuia ‘Opi’ Ralte and Sweden Fernandes orchestrated FC Goa’s win over Vasco.

Sporting breaks through Army defense

Sporting Clube de Goa registered a 1-0 goal win over Corps of Signals at the 3MTR Ground, Navelim.

The Armymen defended well in the first half as Sporting found little time and space to break the ranks. The Signals team came close to scoring through Nim Bhutia. The midfielder’s header missed the target from close.

In the second half, Stendly Fernandes was subbed in and the midfielder made his presence felt in the game.

The Signals team attacked in numbers and the scoreline remained down courtesy some good goalkeeper by Akshat and last ditch defending.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when Stendly’s cross from the right found Delton Colaco. The second half substitute shot past Signals keeper Binu to score the match winner.

Sporting Clube continue to lead the table with 37 points. Corps of Signals are in eighth spot with 17 points.

Golden Eagles put three past Vasco

Dempo Sports Club defeated Vasco Sports Club 3-0 in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League played at the Ella Ground.

After a goalless first half, where both teams fluffed their lines to break the deadlock.

10 minutes into the second half, Vasco handed Dempo the lead when Warren guided the ball into his own net in an attempt to deal with Desmond’s cross.

After taking the lead, the Golden Eagles dominated play. Vasco keeper Sanju Thapa kept his team in the match with saves off Alber Gonsalves and Beevan D’Mello.

Dempo SC finally scored the second goal through Suraj who disposed of Aliston before scoring past the keeper.

Suraj went on to create the third goal when his pass to Joachim Abranches who beat the keeper from close.

The Goa Professional League table at the end of Round 17

Velsao hold Dempo to a draw

Earlier in the week, Dempo SC was held to a 1-1 draw by Velsao SCC at Rosary Ground, Navelim.

Despite dominating the match, Dempo missed multiple opportunities to take the lead.

Velsao SCC stunned their fancied rivals in the 37th minute when they went ahead in the match. Romario Costa received a pass from Jesloy Moniz. The U20 striker found the far corner of the nets to beat Dempo keeper Luis Barreto.

Dempo created more opportunities in the second half but wayward shooting by Joaquim Abranches and Kirtikesh Gadekar did not help the team. In the 84th minute, Beevan D’Mello, managed to get one on target and beat Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas.

The match ended 1-1, but Dempo will see this as two points dropped against the bottom-placed side.

Opi and Sweden orchestrate FC Goa win

Lalawmpuia ‘Opi’ Ralte scored twice in last quarter to help FC Goa secure a 3-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at the Duler Stadium.

The first half was restricted to the midfield as both teams played possession football. With a few minutes left to go in the half, Sweden Fernandes took advantage of a misplaced pass the Vasco defense and shot at goal. The ball deflected a defender and left Vasco goalkeeper Sanju Thapa stranded. 1-0 to the Junior Gaurs.

The Port Towners saw as their defender Mainoo Dadanuvoor receive his second yellow card following a tackle on Sweden.

Goa doubled the lead in the 78th minute. A short pass from Serineo Fernandes allowed Lalawmpuia to shoot from inside the box to make it 2-0.

Lalawmpuia sealed the game in the 85th minute when Sweden’s cushioned header allowed the Mizo to blast it into goal.

3-0 and three points for the development squad of FC Goa who now move to fourth spot with 27 points.

All square between Red Machines and Green Brigade

Churchill Brothers FC and Salgaocar FC played out a 1-1 draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Panchayat Ground, Nagoa.

Despite the end-to-end action, both sides did not test the goalkeepers in the first half. The best chances came from set pieces which were parried away by some resolute defending.

Substitute Lalkhawpuimawia had a moment of brilliance when he controlled a Gou Hangshing delivery and acrobatically hit a volley which narrowly missed the side post.

Clencio Pinto was thrown in and the substitute made an immediate impact when he laid a pass to Lalkhawpuimawia in the box. The Mizo slammed home past Salgaocar keeper Nora Fernandes.

Minutes later, Lalkhawpuimawia’s lob sailed over the keeper, but also over the bar.

In the dying minutes of the game, a goalkeeping blunder gifted Salgaocar FC the equalizer.

Churchill Brothers’ custodian Md Jafar Mondal’s failed clearance fell to Devendra Murgaokar. The veteran did not let the opportunity pass as he made it 1-1.

The I-League side is now in third place with 30 points, while Salgaocar slip to fifth with 27 points.